Program Overview

7th & 8th graders are combined on teams in the boys’ program and in the girls’ program. Teams of typically 15-18 players are formed, with an assigned head coach and 1-2 assistants. The number of teams, size of teams, and variations to program are driven by the number of registered players and coach volunteers.

At this age level, all teams are in a travel program. HYSA participates in the BAYS league: http://www.bays.org/.

Each travel team has two one-hour practices during the week and a game on Saturday. The games are scheduled per BAYS recommendation and field availability. Typically the boys’ games are scheduled for Saturday afternoons and the girls’ games are in the morning.

The 7th & 8th grade travel games have two 35 minute halves and a five-minute intermission. Teams play with an 11v11 format (10 field players plus a goalkeeper) and this is the first time that many of these children play “full-sided soccer”. A size 5 ball is used. There are unlimited substitutions, made during any goal kick and a team’s throw-ins. Travel referees officiate the games.

Players wear official Holliston travel uniforms and must wear shin-guards, soccer socks and cleats.

The program runs for 10 weeks in the fall and again in the spring.

HYSA also boys’ and girls’ select competitive 7th & 8th grade travel teams which play in the BAYS league. Interested players should read the following information prior to attending attend May travel tryouts: https://hollistonsoccer.org/parents/travel-team-tryouts/. Players who do not make the select travel teams will be assigned to the non-select travel teams.